Diet and Medication Instructions

Diet and Medication Instructions

• Do not eat anything after midnight prior to your surgery. No gum, candy, mints or ice. No herbal supplements for two weeks prior to surgery unless your MD says otherwise.
• Bring a list of your medications with doses on the day of surgery.
• Bring all of your home meds if staying overnight. Tylenol is OK.
• If you take Lantus or Levemir for diabetes, take a half dose on the night before surgery.
• If on an insulin pump, decrease your basal rate in half on the morning of your surgery. Do not take any diabetic medications on the day of surgery.
• Avoid over-the-counter medicationscontaining aspirin for two weeks before surgery.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions about whether or not to continue blood thinners such as Plavix, Coumadin, etc.
• Follow bowel-prep instructions as given by the office.
• Stop taking any diet pills for two weeks prior to surgery. Tell your nurse if you have been taking diet pills.
• Stop NSAIDS one week prior to surgery (Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Advil, Aleve, and Excedrin). If you use a rescue inhaler, bring it with you on the day of surgery.

General Surgery Instructions

• Do not wear jewelry, lotion, powder, or oil on the day of surgery. No makeup, fingernail polish, or acrylic nails.
• Remove all piercing and body jewelry prior to surgery.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• If you use a CPAP machine, please bring itif you are staying overnight.
• Remove contacts, glasses, dentures and hearing aids prior to surgery.
• Bring a copy of your living will and/or power of attorney. Advance directive forms are available at
• Bring a responsible adult to drive you home. (Surgery will be cancelled otherwise).
• Leave all valuables at home. If you are told to bring a co-pay, bring only that amount.
• If your doctor has ordered a colon prep, follow instructions given by the office.
• Bring your parking stub to be stamped/validated[TR1].
• Bring a photo ID and insurance card with you.
• You may brush your teeth on the day of surgery.
• If leaving with a cast/brace, please wear proper clothes (shorts, dresses, shirts).

Instructions for Your Day of Surgery at Erlanger East

• If you fail to follow these instructions, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled. You will be notified by the day before if there is a change to your surgery time.
• If you are unable to come to your surgery, please call 423-778-8800.
• Erlanger East surgery registration is at the main entrance off of Crane Road. Turn onto Crane Road from Gunbarrel Road across from the Spine Center and Target.
• You will need to provide a urine specimen on the day of your procedure. Please check with the staff if you need to urinate prior to being assigned a room.

[TR1]Isn’t it free parking at East?